An Urban Forest Plan for your School.

Tour participants confirmed our suspicion that when plants and trees are incorporated into an institutional ‘plan’ from the get-go, the likelihood of getting roots into the soil is greatly increased. Time and again, the significance of education, primary through to tertiary, was underlined.

WHAT IS IT?

The Urban Forest Plan for your School is a collaborative effort between 202020 Vision and a school partner – like for example Nature Play or Cool Australia – to create a replicable plan for green space in schools that engages kids, teachers and more importantly, parents.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

This solution builds on the success of Urban Forest Strategies operating at a council level, replicating key aspects on a smaller scale but within a similar institutional context.

WHY IT’S USEFUL

May provide council with a means by which to better educate their communities, beginning with primary and high school aged children.

Has the potential to share some of the maintenance burden.

Creates more liveable and productive schools for students and staff.

REFERENCE PROJECTS

Cool Australia, Natureplay

WHAT PEOPLE SAID

"Given Cool Australia’s regular engagement with more than 4,500 schools over the past six years, we welcome the opportunity to encourage council and schools to work together more effectively on creating excellent green space for schools. Both in the school grounds and in neighbouring areas. Kids really do better outside."

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STEPS TO MAKE IT HAPPEN MAY INCLUDE:

Work with curriculum, teaching and education experts. We could adapt the Urban Forest Strategy template for councils to make it relevant for a primary, secondary and tertiary context.

Education institutions are encouraged to adopt the Plan and work with their local council and state education department to integrate it into a broader council Urban Forest Strategy.

We investigate collaborations between other organisations to assist with the educational component of the Plan, to provide excursions, walks, work experience, internships, mentorships and other training opportunities that encourage young people, parents and the teaching community to value urban green space.